HAZEL PARK’S CLASS OF 1966 MADE PLANS TO HAVE THEIR 50TH CLASS reunion on the night of September 10, 2016. That morning, they had an opportunity to visit their old stomping grounds, strolling the hallways of Hazel Park High School. “We had an opportunity to walk the halls,” said ‘66 graduate, Linda McLatcher. “We went into the courtyard, of course, because that area was off-limits when we were students. And we noticed a Viking head. Underneath, there was a plaque that read ‘Class of 1966.’”

The former students were perplexed at first. Many didn’t realize their class had donated the monument many years prior. “We looked at it, and the head was in perfect condition but the column was falling apart,” she said. “We became determined to find out more so we could restore it.”

That night at the reunion, one classmate, Nelson Brandymore, made a plea to the others, asking them to organize an effort to refurbish the Viking head and the column around it. McLatcher explained, “Everyone was excited. We put together a committee and people sent in donations. We deposited these in the bank and eventually had enough to pay for what we wanted to do.” The small committee consisted of Linda and Dan McLatcher, Tom Moberly, Barbara Repke and Sandra Nichols.

Once the funds were gathered, the team solicited the help of a local sculpture business, Detroit Design Center, and owners/brothers, Eric and Israel Nordin, happily came on board. “They were as excited about this as we were,” McLatcher said. “They worked on a new base for it and cleaned up the head. Then, the brothers suggested we move it to the front of the building. We contacted principal [Matthew Dailey] and he was on board.” They were also in touch with School Superintendent, Dr. Amy Kruppe, who was happy to see the structure come to life again.

However, the landscaping around the area needed to be revamped. “We had enough money to do some landscaping,” McLatcher explained. “I wanted to keep this project local, so I went online and found Paradise Garden Landscaping in Hazel Park. Once again, they were so excited about it.” Zaid Hanna donated his labor and furnished the plantings at cost. Additionally, Lou DeCiantis donated his time and material to create the concrete pad at the front entrance.

When everything was complete, the class held a rededication. “There had to have been 50-60 people there,” McLatcher said. “Classmates, administrators, and school board members all came. This was totally a community project.”

Thanks to the community, the head will stand for many years, showcasing the pride of everyone who attends Hazel Park High.

DR. AMY KRUPPE CAME TO HAZEL PARK WITH A VISION: To share the success she’d had in her 24 years as an educator, and director of business, human resources, special education and technology in a larger Illinois school district with a community that reminded her of Holt, Michigan, where she was born.

“I love the students and community of Hazel Park. It feels so much like my small hometown of Holt. Hazel Park is filled with friendly, hard-working people,” she said. “I knew I could bring some best practices with me, some talent to the table, and facilitate change.”

In accepting her position as Hazel Park’s Superintendent, Dr. Kruppe wanted to help mold Michigan’s education sector, emphasizing first and foremost the importance of providing sufficient funding and taking care of its teachers. “I wanted to make a difference in Michigan education,” she explained. “Current funding is disproportionate to what it takes to run an effective school district. Districts are taking cuts, and I wanted to be a part of positive change both locally and at the state level.”

Dr. Kruppe had originally pursued math and music majors at Albion College, but ultimately changed her career path to special education and transferred into Grand Valley State’s special education program. She then pursued a master’s degree in educational leadership and a doctorate degree in social justice. While focusing on social justice, she learned about the importance of considering differences in ethnicities, social economic statuses, cultures, and gender when approaching societal issues, a perspective which she said has helped her be successful in her career path.

Following a minimalist approach, which she described as “doing a lot with a little,” she has also learned to work wonders with limited resources. Utilizing this approach, Hazel Park schools have “put so many changes in place with a small staff and have been able to make these changes in a short period of time,” she said.

Dr. Kruppe has an open-door policy, encouraging staff, students, and parents to come into her office at any time. “My door is always open. I’m in early and here late, and am happy to answer any questions.

Right now, she is focused on mitigating recent changes to funding at the federal level that have really hit schools hard. “It’s difficult to come out of a deficit when schools aren’t funded properly,” she said. “You have to have support and services available to teachers, and institute programs that draw people to the district, while at the same time, remaining frugal.”

Some notable district changes since she’s taken the reigns in Hazel Park include the creation of a robotics team and STEAM programs. She’s also revamped the way students learn. “We’ve made changes to the curriculum, focusing on how we’re teaching and making sure the educational needs for all students are met. We’ve redeveloped our K-12 program, looking for more consistency and rigor,” she said.

Dr. Kruppe noted that it’s not easy to get everyone on board with the fact that change is necessary, saying, “We’ve had to make some systemic changes. A school needs to have systems and structures in place, and change can be hard.” But it’s important to garner support from staff, parents, students, and other members of the community to make improvements, nevertheless.

“Support your teachers and your schools,” she said. “Parents are very important, too. We need them to volunteer for activities, and for their children to come to school ready to learn. Students need to be taught to be kind to one another and be willing to work hard.”

When she’s not spending time in the office, the Superintendent is highly active in the community at large. She is part of the Lions Club, the Community Coalition, and the Madison Heights-Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce. Through these efforts, Dr. Kruppe is able to support charitable giving and the goals of local businesses. In everything she does, she is hoping to facilitate positive changes that will help Hazel Park thrive.

Despite any challenges she’s had to face, Dr. Kruppe believes in the District’s potential. She said, “The Hazel Park school district is a great place for children. It’s a small community with great teachers. Those looking for a change should consider coming here.”

TUCKED INTO A LARGE DEDICATED CLASSROOM in Hazel Park High School is a small, powerful organization new to the building this year. Established in January of 2018, the Hazel Park Literacy Project is focused on providing supplemental professional assistance to students who are reading below their grade level.

Garden Fresh Gourmet founders, Jack and Annette Aronson, established the Ferndale Literacy Project in the Fall of 2016, and armed with remarkable results, set about replicating the project for Hazel Park where a large percentage of their student body is from other parts of the Metro Detroit area. The Aronson’s bigger vision includes bringing their literacy project to the entire Metro Detroit area.

“Literacy in this country is an enormous problem. As a nation, we have been struggling so much,” Jack laments. “We used to have people come into Garden Fresh in Ferndale who couldn’t fill out an application.”

That stuck with Jack. “Our literacy project reading models work, and work quickly,” he shares. “If we don’t get busy and fix this, all those great jobs now becoming available in Detroit will not go to the Detroit kids. Detroit kids will be serving popcorn at Little Caesar’s Arena.”

The growth of the students in the High School Literacy Project has been inspiring for everyone involved. They are not just learning to read, but are adding to their vocabulary, which will impact their careers, their upward mobility, and the educational trajectory of their own children. Dr Amy Kruppe stated, “ What an amazing gift the Jack and his wife are giving to communities as they develop these literacy projects. There is no better gift than the gift of reading and education.“

“The literacy model we use is very easy for students and organizations to follow,” Jack says. “It is pretty fixed. We are trying to perfect it to eventually take the program to Detroit high schools.”

A little over 50 students are enrolled in Hazel Park High School’s Literacy Project’s inaugural half year. They are looking to increase enrollment in the fall of 2018, and can take as many as possibly 100 students. Carol Jackson is the Operations Manager and handles the behind-the-scenes details of the literacy projects for the Aronsons.

“Leasing the Read 180 software program the first year and the Reading Specialist Teacher salaries are the two biggest expenses,” Jackson explains.

“Hazel Park Literacy Project will be getting new desks, chairs, books and supplies as well as a fresh coat of paint.”

So far, everything for the Literacy Project is paid for by Jack and Annette Aronson, who have demonstrated that they are on a mission to make a dent in the 47 percent illiteracy rate in the Metro Detroit area. Not a dime is charged to the school, and all funds that are raised for the project through events are channeled directly to the Hazel Park Public Schools, and ear tagged specifically for the Hazel Park Literacy Project.

“All money transactions for the program are transparent,” says Jackson. The state doesn’t pay for a reading specialist at the high school level, so that expense falls to the Literacy Project. Kyle Rowley is the project’s Reading Specialist Teacher for Hazel Park. A football coach and enthusiastic school supporter, Rowley has a warm rapport with the students. Superintendent of Hazel Park Schools, Dr. Amy Kruppe, and Matt Dailey, principle of Hazel Park High School have been very supportive of the new Literacy Project, as well.

Rowley picked out a large computer room in the high school to be used for the literacy room. The space has two smaller suites attached to it that will be designated as a reading room, Kyle’s office, and possibly a coffee/hot chocolate lounge for the literacy students. This summer will be spent getting the literacy rooms finished. They will be working on painting the walls, and ordering new desks and chairs. There is talk about the possibility of a summer reading program, as well.

“The Aronsons are working hard to reach and help as many children as they can,” Jackson says. “While other programs are addressing the literacy problems with younger children, this one is designed to find the older ones and get them back on track and reading at grade level.”

Jack and Annette Aronson are very hands-on with this project and can be found purchasing lunch for the students in the Hazel Park Literacy Project several months of the year. They stay and have lunch with the students to check in and see how individuals are progressing. The Aronsons show up with submarine sandwiches, pizza, water and other healthy foods for the kids, who have been very appreciative of their generosity.

Donations of any size are needed for this ongoing worthy project and to help it expand into the Detroit schools. Contact Carol Jackson at cjackson0205@gmail.com, or at 586-747-1394.

The Community Engagement team is a Hazel Park schools-based program established by Superintendent Dr. Amy Kruppe as a way for the internal school organizations and external businesses, charities, groups, and clubs within the city to gather and build community.

“Community Engagement has many organizations within the city meeting around the table,” said Community Representative, Lisa Chrouch-Johnson. “Each month the team meets and informs the other groups of the events they are planning.” She added that oftentimes those in attendance will either volunteer at these events or offer to help advertise and draw awareness to them.

Many of the external organizations involved offer activities that are either free or require a minimal fee to attend. “Attending events that are ree or available at minimal cost helps families get out of their houses, so they can bond as a family. We strongly encourage students and families to attend events, volunteer, and join the civic organizations,” said Chrouch-Johnson. The Community Engagement team helps build awareness of these programs and events to maximize turn out.

The group has also been busy planning its own events. This past fall, the Community Engagement team hosted a month-long silent auction at the Hazel Park library at which residents of Hazel Park could bid on 27 three-foot-tall artificial Christmas trees. Each tree was created by a local business, charity club, or school, and sported a different theme. The auction included a Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas tree, as well as one adorned with Frankenmuth ornaments. Bids ranged from $40 to $250.

A few important annual events include the Annual Hometown Huddle, which was held August 23, 2018. The event took place at Hazel Park High School just a few hours prior to the first home football game of the season. Many of the organizations within the city set up tables to pass out information and offer giveaways. There were games to play and plenty of free food and drinks. It was a great way for families of the players, and their friends and neighbors, to come out and support the team.

Then, on December 1, 2018, Community Engagement will host the second annual Santa breakfast, craft, and vendor show at the high school. Kids can come out and visit with Santa while families select homemade goodies up for sale by some of Hazel Park’s gifted crafters. There will also be a Dr. Seuss themed lunch, craft, and vendor show at the high school on March 9, 2019.

The Senior Citizens Holiday concert will take place at the Junior High on December 16, 2018. There, the schools’ bands, choir, and dance team will all perform and lead those attending in a sing-along show. Afterwards, cookies and beverages will be served.

Community Engagement is also planning a snowman auction to take place at the Holiday Celebration at the Hazel Park Ice Arena. “Businesses, individuals, and organizations can make any kind of snowman with paint, crochet, foam, or cups,” Crouch-Johnson explained. “The choice is yours – be creative. All proceeds go to the after school programming for Hazel Park Schools. Please look out for more information.” She added, “Our continued goal is to build a positive community. Future goals are to get more volunteers, create more events, and grow the team to reach even more people.”

The Community Engagement Team meets every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 P.M at the Ford Administration Building, 1620 E. Elza, Hazel Park, MI 48030, and is always seeking new members.

Anyone with questions or who is interested in participating can e-mail lisa.chrouchjohnson@hazelparkschools.org or call 248-658-5209.

HAZEL PARK SCHOOLS HAVE A PROUD TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS. For 80 years, the Vikings have successfully competed in thousands of competitions all over Michigan. The mission of the Athletic Department is to provide an athletic environment that compliments the educational experience, promotes excellence through commitment to team and community, focuses on the development of discipline and wellness, and values the ideals of sportsmanship, ethics and growth in humility.

The programs currently offered at Hazel Park’s Junior High and High School are dance, football, sideline and competitive cheer teams, soccer, track and cross-country track, tennis, swimming, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, bowling, baseball, softball, and boys golf. Many of the teams have been successful throughout the years, and a couple have recently received stand out recognition.

“Over the past three years our boys’ basketball team has been very successful,” according to Athletic Director Dr. David Muylaert. “In past years, the Hazel Park wrestling team has also been successful, and that program is beginning to compete at the level it did ten to fifteen years ago.”

Some changes were made to the Junior High track team in recent years. Dr. Muylaert explained, “Two years ago, the Jr. High School added a coed track team for the students to participate in the spring.” The addition of the new track team will allow for more running time.

There have already been many memorable moments in 2018 and there are some notably talented students who will be joining college teams. “The class of 2018 has six athletes that will go on and play college athletics,” Dr. Muylaert said. “Samantha Richardson will play softball. Trinity Benton will play basketball. Kyle Washington will play football. Carl Bow, Devin Pettus, and David Hearns will play basketball.”

As far as future plans for Hazel Park’s athletics, he said, “It was recently announced that Hazel Park High School will be leaving the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) and joining the Macomb Area Conference (MAC) in the 2019-2020 school year.” This transition will mean that Hazel Park Athletics will be part of MAC rather than maintaining its traditional spot in the OAA. The reason the Vikings had wanted to make the switch had to do with competitive imbalance, especially in football. Student athletes were competing against districts with much larger enrollment rates. As part of the MAC, they will be vying for titles against schools of similar size.

More information regarding Hazel Park’s school athletics can be found at www.hazelparkschools.org. Any questions should be directed to Dr. Muylaert at 248.658.5167 or david.muylaert@hazelparkschools.org.

HAZEL PARK HAS BEEN BUSY OVERHAULING AND UPDATING ITS EDUCATIONAL INFRA-STRUCTURE IN THE PAST YEAR. “We needed to update the schools. They are becoming outdated,” explained Custodial/ Maintenance Supervisor Greg Richardson. “A few years ago, residents voted on the funding for remodels and it passed as a millage. We’re trying to improve the schools and compete with the bigger districts.” Schools are an investment. If you let them deteriorate, then your investment becomes a loss.

The remodeling projects have included new carpeting at Hoover, Ford, and Webb Elementary Schools, with small portions also being updated at the high school, new drinking fountains, and playground equipment for the students. “We installed new equipment and wood chips at the playgrounds,” Richardson said. “We got a grant for the drinking fountains through Oakland County. We wanted new water bottle fillers and healthier solutions for the kids.” The fountains are still a work in progress, with all schools set to receive replacement equipment.

The maintenance team will also be updating the air conditioning systems at United Oaks and Ford Elementary Schools, as well as the Junior High. “This Fall, we’ll also be repainting the swimming pool at the high school,” Richard-son explained. “And we will be updating the pool lighting.”

He noted that Hazel Park’s athletic facility was completely reconfigured six years ago. “We have a state-of-the-art facility,” he said. “Other schools and programs want to rent it out so much that we don’t have any more open dates. I was on the committee for this.”

Richardson added, “My long-term goal is to have every single school completely updated. I went to the schools in the ‘90s and it’s nice so see we finally have a small amount of funds to do this. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Hazel Park offers a unique opportunity for high school students to get involved in the work scheduled to be completed. “We hire several kids every summer. Last year I hired five to work 40 hours per week for six to eight weeks,” said Richardson. “We put out an email to the kids at the high school and train them. This helps us out a lot, particularly when we’re short-handed, as we have been in recent years.”

The schools also follow all state guidelines when it comes to safety protocol and procedures. Richardson explained, “Each principal has their own guide-lines, but we are also up to the standards of the state. During school hours, the buildings are locked down and visitors need to be buzzed in by the front offices. Our superintendent is very good at always considering the safety of the kids. Dr. Kruppe is always making sure any door issues are fixed and the locks are working. It’s a top priority and we stay on top of it.”

Richardson added, “Hall monitors are present at some of the schools. We also have a camera system at every entrance and will know if anything out of the ordinary happens. They are recording 24/7 at all of the schools, so we can easily go back and look at the footage for a period of time.”

School safety is always at the forefront of the administration’s objectives. “We talk about it a lot,” Richardson said. “One of our administrators and a police officer who has an office at both the high school and Junior High went to ALICE training, and will be training the staff, including the principals and custodians. But we already have guidelines for how to handle active shootings, terrorist threats, and anything else that could happen. My daughter just graduated from Hazel Park High, and I’ve always felt very comfortable having her here.”

Of the District, Richardson said, “We’re really doing some great things infra-structure, safety, and education-wise. We’re a small district and not a lot of people know about it, but we really have some great things in the works.”

HAZEL PARK OFFERS SOME GREAT PROGRAMS IN WHICH PARENTS CAN POSITION THEIR CHILDREN FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS prior to enrollment in traditional kindergarten. The programs are housed in the Webster Early Childhood Center, Hoover Elementary School, Webb Elementary, and there are a variety of options available for families looking for best-fit solutions.

“Here at Hazel Park, we strongly believe in the power and impact of early education,” said Stephanie Dulmage, Ed. S., Director of 21st Century Learning. Initiatives such as Early Fives, the Great Start Readiness Grant Program (GSRP), Head Start and Early Head Start strongly reflects the district’s mission.

GSRP is a State of Michigan-funded grant program that provides full-day tuition free education to preschool students for four days per week from September to June. The program services families in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties, and follows a research-based HighScope curriculum designed to best position students for future success.

We also have the privilege of housing Head Start in Webster Elementary School. While this is not a Hazel Park-run program, families are able to access this program right here in our community for their students.

“The Early Fives program,” explained Dulmage, “is open to children who are kindergarten-aged, but not quite ready for enrollment or have birthdays after the cut-off date. The classrooms offer highly-skilled, personalized learning opportunities with kindergarten curriculum in which students are given two years to learn and grow.” Not every student follows the standard two-year path, however. “Some of our Early Fives do very well and are placed right into first grade after one year,” she said.

The Early Fives program is designed to ensure students are keeping pace with their peers. “This gives parents and kids a great option to have a slightly different pacing to develop their learning,” said Dulmage. “They are placed in a smaller setting with individualized learning based on their growth needs. This way, we can really meet them where they are.”

She added, “There are several ways in which children are identified for participation in Early Fives. Either, they have a birthday after the cut-off date or parents just know about the program and are really excited about it. They want their children to participate. We also work to support those who would benefit from Early Fives based on their performance in the Webster Early Childhood Center.”

With a variety of early learning program offerings, the district encourages families to start their children’s education at a young age, so they’re best positioned for future success. Dulmage explained, “Hazel Park School District values early education and we try to provide students with as many opportunities as possible.”